Compared to BZs, the BZ-like hypnotic zolpidem exhibits relative selectivity for alpha-1GABAA receptors. Although this selectivity is believed to underlie its superior hypnotic ability, zolpidem's ability to engender anxiolytic-like effects has been inconsistent. Zolpidem's primary effects should not include anxiolysis given its preference for interacting with alpha-1GABAA receptors and their abundant distribution in sensorimotor cortex and extrapyramidal motor areas relative to the more enriched distribution of the other receptor subtypes throughout the limbic system, anterior thalamus, and caudate nucleus. However, in the amygdala, a brain region that has been shown to be intricately involved in anxiety-related neuronal processes, high levels of alpha-1 GABAA receptors as well as alpha-2 and alpha-3GABAA receptors are expressed.